Champions off to flier

Champions Shropshire delivered a champion display as they opened their defence of the Endsleigh British senior county bowls crown with a stunning win.

They hammered group rivals the Potteries by 58 chalks overall yesterday, roaring to 11 winners in the 12 games of the home leg at freezing Pontesbury.

And away at Fegg Hayes in Burslem they produced three early winners, including a man of the match 21-10 card from Andy Moss, to take a firm grip on that leg.

They finished with six winners there in an eight shot defeat, but a man of the match 21-11 card by Moss's Chester Road team-mate Andy Duckett at No 11 at Pontesbury sealed a super plus 66 success.